Aluminum plain bearing alloy

Abstract

The invention relates to a monotectic aluminium plain bearing alloy, comprising 5 to 20 wt. % bismuth, 3 to 20 wt. % zinc, 1 to 4 wt. % copper and additionally several of the components manganese, vanadium, niobium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, tungsten, chromium, silver, calcium, scandium, cerium, beryllium, antimony, boron, titanium, carbon and zirconium in amounts up to 5 wt. % and aluminium to make 100 wt. %, produced by strip casting and during the subsequent production process for plain bearings, after rolling or roll-bonding, subjected to a heat treatment at ca. 270 to 400° C. Long bismuth particles or sheets, produced by rolling or roll-bonding can thus be recoagulated to give finely-distributed spherical drops with a size in the 20 μm range and smaller.

1 . A monotectic aluminum plain bearing alloy comprising 5 to 20% by weight bismuth, 3 to 20% by weight zinc, 1 to 4% by weight copper and additionally one or more of the components manganese, vanadium, niobium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, tungsten, chromium, silver, calcium, scandium, cerium, beryllium, antimony, boron, titanium, carbon and zirconium in a total of up to 5% by weight and aluminum to make it up to 100% by weight. 
   
   
       2 . The monotectic aluminum plain bearing alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the alloy contains between 7 and 12% by weight bismuth. 
   
   
       3 . The monotectic aluminum plain bearing alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the alloy contains between 3 and 6% by weight zinc. 
   
   
       4 . The monotectic aluminum plain bearing alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the alloy contains between 2 and 4% by weight, in particular between 2 and 3% by weight, copper. 
   
   
       5 . The monotectic aluminum plain bearing alloy as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the alloy contains up to 2% by weight Al—Ti—B or Al—Ti—C grain refiner. 
   
   
       6 . A process for producing an aluminum plain bearing alloy using the composition as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the alloying constituents are combined to form an alloy in a casting process in which the cooling rate is 5 to 1000 K/s. 
   
   
       7 . The process as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the drawing-off rate is 2 to 15 mm/s. 
   
   
       8 . The process as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that a continuous casting process is used as the casting process. 
   
   
       9 . The process as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that, for the preparation of a semifinished product, the alloy is provided with at least one supporting layer. 
   
   
       10 . The process as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that at least one heat treatment at temperatures of from 270° C. to 400° C. is performed on the alloy in the course of subsequent forming processes. 
   
   
       11 . The process as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that the heat treatment follows a rolling and/or roll-cladding operation. 
   
   
       12 . A plain bearing shell which contains an alloy comprising 5 to 20% by weight bismuth, 3 to 20% by weight zinc, 1 to 4% by weight copper and additionally one or more of the components manganese, vanadium, niobium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, tungsten, chromium, silver, calcium, scandium, cerium, beryllium, antimony, boron, titanium, carbon and zirconium in a total of up to 5% by weight and aluminum to make it up to 100% by weight as one of the materials used in it or consists of this alloy. 
   
   
       13 . A plain bearing with a shell which contains an alloy comprising 5 to 20% by weight bismuth, 3 to 20% by weight zinc, 1 to 4% by weight copper and additionally one or more of the components manganese, vanadium, niobium, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, iron, tungsten, chromium, silver, calcium, scandium, cerium, beryllium, antimony, boron, titanium, carbon and zirconium in a total of up to 5% by weight and aluminum to make it up to 100% by weight as one of the materials used in it or consists of this alloy.